Kohout demonstrates no age limit for blood donations

Rose Kohout doesn't remember the first time she donated blood, but she does know she'll be donating again when the Bloodmobile visits Redwood Falls again next week.

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By Joshua DixonStaff Writer

Redwood Falls Gazette

By Joshua DixonStaff Writer

Posted Apr. 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By Joshua DixonStaff Writer

Posted Apr. 11, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Rose Kohout donated blood for the first time in Nov. 1967.

Now 87, the Bechyn native was living near Olivia at the time, and doesn’t remember the first time she donated, however.

“Oh, it was so long ago,” she laughed. “I do remember I was having children then, so I had to wait for so long before they would let me donate again.”

Since then Kohout has donated, she believes, at least 12 gallons — she isn’t sure of the exact number.

“I just donate because it makes me feel good to know I”m healthy enough,” she said. “At the bottom there is an age limit, but at the top there isn’t.”

Currently, Red Cross rules state teenagers as young as 16 can donate, if they get a parents’ signed permission. On the other hand, men who made their first donation while serving in the Korean War still regularly make visits to the blood drive.

Kohout says she’s never needed donated blood herself. Before she had hip surgery in 1994 the doctors took several units from her, then gave them back as needed.

However, Kohout needed to take a five year break from donating blood after she was treated for cancer.

“Last year, when I was volunteering at the canteen, I asked one of the other volunteers if I should try again, and she said I should go for it,” Kohout said.

She was accepted without any problem, and plans to donate again next week, when the Red Cross is in town again.

The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be in Redwood County on Monday and Tuesday, April 15-16, from 1-7 p.m. at the National Guard Armory.

The date for Wabasso's blood drive is Wednesday, April 17, from 1-7 p.m. at St. Anne's Church.

For more information, or to set up an appointment to donate, contact Laura Kohler at 640-0209.